Beating Selfishness

Corey was a goal oriented, charismatic individual but he was very self-centered. He worked two jobs and went to school for a business degree. Corey had a wife and a son at home but he constantly neglected them. He went to work early in the morning, got off work late at night, and went to school on the weekends. His wife kept telling Corey that she was feeling lonely and that she desired to spend more time with him. His wife mentioned to Corey several times that he was missing out on their son's life. Corey would make time for all his friends and coworkers but failed to put the same effort into his marriage. Also he did not help at all with parental duties. His wife felt invisible and slumped into a deep depression. One day, she reached her limit and left Corey. Corey acted like he didn't care initially but over time he came to his senses and wanted his wife back. He realized that he didn't need to work that second job but only wanted too because he was being greedy. It wasn't until Corey found God and submitted to his will that his wife noticed a change in him. Corey now puts God first in his life, he works one job, and he now spends more time with his wife and son.

Are you living a life like Corey which consists of you being extremely busy where you don't have time for God or your family? Ask yourself, what matters the most in life? In other words, most people spend their life achieving success and they are very miserable, lonely, and searching for that one person to share their life with. This is not what God intended for your life. James 3:16 says, "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every evil practice." It seems like people that live a simple life are much happier because they realize what really matters in life (God and family) instead of covetousness and success. Hebrews 13:5 says, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content what with you have, because God has said, I will never leave you; never will I forsake you".

Let's pray:

Heavenly Father, I exalt you, my God the King, and praise your name forever and ever. I will praise you every day; I will honor your name forever. Help me not be selfish and not to suffer from covetousness. Proverbs 18:1 says, "Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment". 1 Timothy 6:9 says, "Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction." But godliness with contentment is great gain. Lord, show me what is really important in life so I don't fall into the trap of being self-centered. Lord, your word says in Romans 2:8 there will be wrath and fury where there are people who are self- seeking and do not obey the truth but unrighteousness.

I decree and declare that I have the same mindset of Christ when dealing with my relationships. I will please my neighbor for his good and build him up. Philippians 2:3-4 says, " I will do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above myself, not looking to my own interests but to the interests of others." Lord, where selfishness has ruined my relationships I pray that you will reverse it and restore them. Lord, I realize that selfishness is one of the acts of the flesh. I decree that I will walk in the spirit so I do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. John 8:36 says, "So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed." I declare that I am free from selfishness. Thank you Lord for healing me. Thank you for answering my prayer. In Jesus name Amen.